The Garden Party Question Answer | Katherine Mansfield
1. Why is Laura’s mother more concerned with the garden party than with the neighbour’s tragedy
Laura’s mother, Mrs. Sheridan, represents the wealthy upper class. Throughout the story she is focused on social appearance and maintaining her status which makes her indifferent to the neighbour’s tragedy, proving the insensitivity of the upper class once again.
2. How does the news of Mr. Scott’s death change Laura’s perception of her surroundings
The news of the death of Mr. Scott upsets Laura to a great extent. So the preparation and organization of the garden party even after the accident appears superficial and insignificant to her in the face of sombre death. She is prompted within herself to think more deeply about life and death.
3. Who was Jose? How did she react to Laura’s proposal of stopping the garden party
Jose was the elder sister of Laura Sheridan.
Owing to a poor neighbour’s accidental death when Laura proposed to stop the garden party, Jose strangely reacted to it. It was nothing but an absurd idea to her and she forbade Laura to be so extravagant.
4. How did the garden party become “the greatest success”
The Shredians’ garden party started in the afternoon. With the invitees’ coming in streams, sound of band, strolling of the couples bending to the flowers, greetings, girls moving on over the lawns like bright birds, pressing of happy hands, smile into eyes, sandwiches, cakes, passion-fruit ices, puffed creams etc. the garden party, according to Mrs. Sheridan, became the greatest success.
5. What quality of the workman attracted Laura more than the boys who danced with her on a Sun- day night
While choosing the place for marquee for the garden party Laura suddenly noticed that a tall workman bent down, pinched a sprig of a lavender, put his thumb and forefinger to his nose and snuffed the smell. Laura was astonished to see this sensuousness of a workman-caring for the smell of the lavender. This quality of the workman attracted Laura more than the silly boys with whom she danced on a Sunday night.
6. What is a chesterfield? Who were moving the ches- terfield and why
Chesterfield is the name of a company that produces piano.
Meg, Jose and little Hans were moving the piano to place it against the wall of a room to make space for the party.
7. How was Laura’s feeling as she entered her room coming out of her mother’s room
Coming out of her mother’s room as Laura entered her own room she looked at the mirror and found a charming girl in herself with her black hat which was trimmed with gold daisies and a long black ribbon. The very next moment she remembred the dead body of Mr. Scott being carried, the poor woman and sad faces of the unfortunate little children. But soon all those images seemed blurred and she decided to carry on with the party.
8. Who was Laurie and when did he arrive? Give a brief account of the meeting between Laura and Laurie
Laurie was the elder brother of Laura.
Just before the beginning of the party Laurie arrived and hailed everyone on his way to dress. Laura wanted to tell him about the accident. So, she followed him into the hall. Before she could tell him anything Laurie praised her appearance with that hat. Then the band stuck up, indicating the start of the party and Laura got no scope of opening her mind to Laurie.
9. What was the brilliant idea of Mrs. Sheridan? How did she execute this idea
Sending the leftover costly food of the party, which were going to be wasted, to the poor neighbour’s family was the brilliant idea of Mrs. Sheridan.
Having got the brilliant idea, Mrs. Sheridan asked Laura to bring a basket to send those uneaten food to the “poor creature”. She gave no care to her daughter’s protest rather, forced Laura to take those food to the grief-stricken family, indicating heartlessness and unsympathetic attitude of the upper class towards the poor people.
10. Why does Laura cry at the end of the story and what does this reveal about her character
At the end of the story ‘The Garden Party’ Laura cries before Laurie because she is emotionally overwhelmed by the reality of death and her feelings of empathy for the deceased man’s family. Laura’s cry is just the outcome of her deep emotional connection with the poorer section of the society and compassion for the bereaved family which is their “nearly neighbour”. Laura’s crying reveals her essential humanity.
11. Write a brief note on the character of Meg and Jose Sheridan
Meg and Jose, Laura’s older siblings, are somewhat shallow and preoccupied with the party. Meg is concerned with her appearance, while Jose is portrayed as carefree and frivolous. Jose in particular, embodies the privileged and thoughtless attitude of the upper class. They both reflect the sheltered life of the Sheridan family, focused on their own pleasures and largely indifferent to the suffering of others.
12. Write a brief note on the character of the workmen
The workmen, who set up the marquee for the garden party, represent the working class. They are depicted as friendly and approachable, contrasting with the Sheridans’ superficiality. Their presence in the story highlights the class division and the Sheridans’ reliance on the labour of others, who lead very different lives.
13. What is the impact of the dead man (Mr. Scott) in the story
Mr. Scott, who dies in a tragic accident, is a working- class neighbour of the Sheridans. His death brings the harsh reality of life and death into the Sheridans’ world of privilege. Although he never appears alive in the story, his death significantly impacts Laura, serving as a catalyst for her awakening to social injustices and the transient nature of life.
14. How does Laura respond to her mother’s instructions regarding the party preparations
Though initially Laura seems to be spontaneous in organising the party, after the huge bulk of expensive lilies arrive, Laura is in a fix. Though she doesn’t like such wastage of money she has to obey her mother’s orders. So with reluctance and hesitation, revealing a sense of obligation and duty, Laura continues the preparation of the party.
15. How does Katherine Mansfield depict the class distinction between the Sheridans and their poor neighbour? How does Laura’s reaction to the neigh- bour’s death emphasize this division? What does this division reveal about society in the story
Katherine Mansfield in her story ‘The Garden Party’ depicts the class distinction by presenting two contradictory pictures through the luxurious garden party preparations of the Sheridans, contrasting with poor, modest home of the deceased neighbour.
Laura’s empathy and discomfort towards celebrating the garden party highlight the stark contrast between the indifference of her family and the suffering of the neighbouring family.
This division reveals that wealthy, upper class society is often oblivious to the hardships faced by the poor, so-called lower class society, emphasizing the social inequality.
16. How does Laura initially perceive the purpose of the garden party? What event challenges her perception? How does this experience influence her understanding of social responsibilities
Laura initially perceives the garden party as a joyful social event to display status and hospitality of her family.
The news of the accidental death of a poor neighbour called Mr. Scott, challenges Laura’s perception by introducing an oral conflict with her sister and mother about celebrating the party amidst the tragedy.
The experience of life and death comples her to reconsider the importance of empathy and social responsibility, highlighting the insensitivity of the wealthy people and their social events.
17. What role did Laura play in fixing up the place for the marquee? What idea do you form of her character here
Regarding placement of the marquee, Laura played a vital role in Katherine Mansfield‘s story ‘The Garden Party’. After wishing good morning to the workers with a smiling face, she pointed to the lily-lawn which seemed to be an inappropriate place for the party. Then she suggested the tennis court but that too was not accepted because a band was going to be installed thereon. Finally, one of the workmen suggested a place which was against the karaka trees and Laura accepted it. The place of marquee was fixed up.
From the very beginning Laura appears to be a woman of lovely disposition. Here Laura perceives the garden party as a joyful social event meant to display the status and hospitality of her family. She enjoys the preparations and the prospect of the social event. Unlike other siblings Laura is friendly and genuine to the workmen. Her simplicity, sincerity and honest behaviour wins the heart of everyone.
18. How does Laura’s perception of the workmen differ from that of other members of her family? What does this difference indicate
Laura perceives the workmen as friendly, genuine and down-to-earth human beings. She appreciates their straightforwardness and kindness as well as their sensitivity. On the other hand, other members of her family view them as merely workers, reflecting a detached, class-conscious attitude.
This difference indicates Laura’s inherent empathy for the poor and working-class as well as her ability to see people beyond social class distinctions. It shows her growing awareness to social values in spite of disrespect of others in the family for those values.
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